Firefighters were forced to evacuate a number of buildings after a fire broke out in Windsor's downtown core.
The Windsor Fire and Rescue Service says on Wednesday around 3pm, firefighters were called to the area of Ouellette Ave. near University Ave. E. The fire reportedly started at Ray and Kim's Super Convenience at 352 Ouellette Ave.
Fire crews were able to get the blaze under control around 4pm, but the majority of nearby buildings on the east side of Ouellette were evacuated due to smoke from the fire. Fire crews were continuing to ventilate the buildings just after 6pm.
No one was injured during the fire or the evacuations.
Around 40 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, and fire officials say crews had to work in shifts and take rests to re-hydrate due to the high temperature outside.
Fire officials say the blaze was caused accidentally due to "the careless disposal of smoking materials," and damage is estimated at around $300,000.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been notified, but an investigator will not be attending the scene.
The Windsor Police Service says University Ave. was closed between Pelissier St. and Goyeau St., while Ouellette Ave. was shut down from Chatham St. to Wyandotte St., while fire crews were at the scene. The roadway was reopened to traffic around 9pm.